Indians Close Out 2009

1. The Indians know they may have to sell themselves to some managerial candidates because there are times when more than one team wants to hire the same person. The Tribe's pitch will center on the fact they went through a seriously rebuilding stage in 2003-04. It produced a contender in 2005, along with the 2007 team that won 96 games.

2 The Indians will explain the strength of the team is in the young position players. It begins with the outfield of Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore and Michael Brantley. They also can use Matt LaPorta in left field, otherwise he starts at first base.

3. Brantley entered the weekend batting .302. The Indians want to see him draw more walks (8 in 106 at-bats). He also had only four extra-base hits, all doubles. They think he will quickly improve in both areas.

4. Notice the Indians gave Trevor Crowe a decent shot, but he batted only .230 (.603 OPS) in 178 at-bats. They think he can help as a backup outfielder because of his speed and ability to play all three outfield spots, but he has to give them more offense. I'm not nearly as sold on Crowe.

5. As the Indians plan their infield, it's Jhonny Peralta at third, Asdrubal Cabrera at short, Luis Valbuena at second with LaPorta at first. But Andy Marte and Jordan Brown also are in the first-base mix, with Marte very capable at third. LaPorta hit .289 (.840 OPS) with six homers and 16 RBI in 133 at-bats after being recalled from the minors.

6. Catching is wide open with Lou Marson and Wyatt Toregas the main candidates, at least until Carlos Santana is ready. Kelly Shoppach will probably be headed to another team. The Indians also would be interested in keeping utility man Jamey Carroll, but not at the $2.2 million salary he made this season. They do want a veteran backup infielder.

7. To make this lineup work, it seems the Indians need another veteran hitter to replace Victor Martinez -- unless Travis Hafner comes all the way back to his 2006 form.

8. The big questions are with pitching. Assuming Jake Westbrook is healthy (not a guarantee), he is the only starter older than 26. It seems Aaron Laffey, Justin Masterson and David Huff have locked up rotation spots -- although Laffey is the only one to show any semblance of consistency. But give Huff credit for winning 11 games with this team. As for Fausto Carmona, they certainly will give him every chance to start.

9. What the Indians need is someone such as Carlos Carrasco or Hector Rondon to make a great leap forward as a starter. Both have the raw talent, but who knows when it will click. Jeremy Sowers had a good two months in July and August, but ended the season with three poor starts and a final record of 6-11 with a 5.25 ERA. He may end up in long relief.

10. The Indians hope they have a decent bullpen in place with Kerry Wood closing. He had a 3.09 ERA and 8-of-10 in save opportunities after the All-Star break. Others who have been promising are Chris Perez and Tony Sipp. They think Raffy Perez is making some progress, but we'll see if that holds up next season. All of this begs for the Indians to find a manager and build a coaching staff that can develop young pitching -- and that points to Boston's John Farrell. While there are contract considerations giving the Red Sox control over Farrell next season, it seems a deal can be worked between the two teams -- especially since they are not in the same division.